Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
